Budget and Taxes

May 11, 2016
Yesterday, Governor Ducey signed the new state budget. It pretty much leaves Arizona stuck in neutral. It does not rebuild any of the major pieces of the budget that were destroyed during the Great Recession. For K-12 education, it delays new cuts but has no new investments in sustaining teachers or repairing crumbling school facilities or updating classroom textbooks or technology. Read more

April 19, 2016
We continue to await detailed proposals from both chambers of the legislature, as negotiating the FY 2017 budget once again goes on behind closed doors. From the numbers we have seen so far, the proposals from Senate president Biggs and House Speaker Gowan include reduced funding for public schools and a yet-to-be-named PERMANENT tax cut of $30 million, funds that are desperately needed for districts struggling to keep experienced teachers and classrooms using outdated technology and texbooks. Read more

April 6, 2016
Budget charts are circulating throughout the capitol that reflect proposals from Senate President Andy Biggs and House Speaker David Gowan. They are working to round up enough votes to pass the budget over the next two weeks. Now is the time for Arizonans to let our own state senators and representatives know what priorities we want them to vote for in the budget. Read more

February 15, 2016
One month ago, Governor Ducey released his budget proposal. In the big picture, the budget leaves Arizona stuck in neutral without improving children’s health, education, or security. Lawmakers have already begun their closed door negotiations. While the opportunity for public input is limited, it’s up to us to tell our leaders to build a better budget for children and families before the votes are counted. Read more

February 12, 2016
SAVE THE DATE
Arizona State Budget Town Hall Meetings
State legislators have already begun negotiating the next fiscal year’s budget, and we need your involvement to tell our leaders to build a better budget for children and families before the votes are counted. Be part of the Build a Better Budget campaign with Children’s Action Alliance, members of the community, parents, grandparents and others statewide to show your support for Arizona kids. Read more

January 27, 2016
February 2, 2016
We have the latest news on proposed bills that will build children’s health, education and security, as well as bad ideas that will make it harder for children and families to succeed. Stay tuned for updates on committee assignments and hearings and how you can weigh in.
Good for Kids
HB 2309 and SB 1385: Reinstating KidsCare
Sponsors: Rep. Read more

January 15, 2016
Last October, the Joint Legislative Budget Committee staff released new revenue estimates that project Arizona will have a $650 million cash balance by the end of fiscal year 2017. They cautioned, however, that only about $250 million is likely to be ongoing revenues. Policymakers should be cautious about dedicating more than the $250 million to tax cuts or ongoing spending increases. Read more

January 11, 2016
Today, Governor Ducey will deliver his State of the State address, laying out his priorities for 2016. Later this week he will present his budget proposal to the legislature and to the people of the state. This proposal becomes a starting point for public discussion and legislative consideration and negotiation before the new fiscal year begins in July. Read more

December 10, 2015
Arizonans will not be surprised by a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities showing that Arizona is still stands out in cuts to K-12 education funding. Adjusting for inflation, Arizona is again third worst in the nation for cuts to state school spending per student from 2008 to 2016. Read more

November 18, 2015
According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP), the poorest Arizona households pay $12.50 in state and local taxes for every $100 in income, compared to just $4.60 of for the state’s richest residents.
Arizona is considered one of the “Terrible 10” meaning exactly what it says: those who make the least amount of money pay the biggest share of their income in total state and local taxes, while the wealthiest pay the smallest chunk. Read more

About

As a partner of the State Priorities Partnership, Children's Action Alliance analyzes Arizona's tax and budget policies to assess their impact on working families. We identify focused fiscal strategies – for both revenues and spending – to help strengthen struggling families. This project translates the complex world of state fiscal policy into credible and timely information that is used by policy makers, community activists and the media.